There really are a wealth of experiences just waiting to be explored in East County Limerick, each one a chapter in a fascinating saga. Whether you embark on one of many heritage tours, go off-the-beaten track in the open countryside, or simply take in some of the many local foodie destinations – you’ll discover a story with every stop!
1. Take a riverside stroll in Castleconnell
Perched on the banks of the River Shannon, 15km north of Limerick City, lies the picturesque village of Castleconnell. Take a stroll beneath the leafy boughs and soak up the soothing sounds along the riverside walk, keeping your eyes peeled for the woodland fairies living amongst the towering trees in the Fairy Woods! Linger a little longer with a coffee stop at the Castle Oaks House Hotel, an 18th century manor house, or Protea Café, a family-run coffee shop in the heart of the village.
2. Visit a majestic monastery in Murroe
Further east, in the village of Murroe, lies Glenstal Abbey, home to a community of Benedictine monks. The 12th century-style castle features a magnificent gate, imposing drum tower resembling that at Windsor Castle, and a seventeenth-century terraced garden. Day visitors are free to walk the grounds and a warm welcome awaits those wishing to prolong their visit in the Abbey guesthouse.
If golf is your cup of tee, a visit to Glenside Pitch & Putt 18-hole course is a must, while hiking enthusiasts can explore Glenstal Woodland Loop, a 15km trail on the lower slopes of the Slieve Felim Mountains, offering expansive views across counties Limerick and Tipperary. The woods are inhabited by the hen harrier, one of our most spectacular and rarest birds, so keep an eye on the sky overhead!
3. Discover woodlands and waterfalls at Clare Glens
Close by is Clare Glens, a hidden woodland walk along the Clare River, which separates counties Limerick and Tipperary. The scenery here is breathtaking with wild dense forest combined with gushing waterfalls, rock pools and rapids flowing in a red sandstone gorge, presenting stunning photographic opportunities along a truly scenic walk.
4. Explore the lore of Lough Gur
Discover the ancient wonders of mythical Lough Gur, a horseshoe-shaped lake at the base of Knockadoon Hill and one of Ireland’s most unique archaeological treasures! Pack a picnic basket and soak up the stunning views, wander along the lakeshore walks, while the magical fairy trail and Solstice Playground are sure to enthral the younger folk!
Re-imagine ancient rituals at nearby Grange Stone Circle, the largest standing stone circle in Ireland, or if you’re feeling creative, get crafty at Lough Gur Pottery with professional potter Clair and make your very own personalised piece!
At neighbouring Rockbarton Garden Centre, nestled in a beautiful historic 18th century courtyard bursting with fantastic olde world charm, visitors can wander through the award-winning garden centre before relaxing with a delicious treat in the cosy Chatty Hen Coffee House.
5. Step back in time at the Old Irish Ways Museum
It all started with one vintage Massey Ferguson tractor, and, a passion for the past transformed into the Old Irish Ways Museum – a unique visitor experience celebrating bygone days in Ireland and one of Limerick’s true hidden gems! For many, it will be a trip down memory lane with a treasure trove of memorabilia on display in the old style country shop, blacksmith’s forge, cobblers, kitchen and Irish pub!
6. Visit the ancestral home of John F. Kennedy
The story connecting the rural town of Bruff, Co. Limerick, and the 35th President of the United States of America began in 1852. It was then, following the great famine, that a young emigrant named Thomas Fitzgerald, John F. Kennedy’s great grandfather, left his native home in Bruff and made his way to America in search of a better life.
Today, a life-size bronze statue of John F. Kennedy holding the Fitzgerald family bible stands proudly in the town – the bible Thomas Fitzgerald brought with him when he left for Boston, and later used by JFK when he was inaugurated as US President in 1961!
Visitors can drop by the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, the town’s former courthouse, now a fascinating exhibit and fitting tribute to the world-famous family.
If time allows, The Yarn Café and No.5 Café at Dave Clarke’s Bar make for a tasty stop-off, while a warm County Limerick welcome awaits overnight guests at The Old Bank, a historic townhouse and former bank which has been lovingly restored to its original nineteenth century grandeur.
7. Re-live Irish history in a Medieval walled town
Nestled at the foot of the Ballyhoura Mountains to the south, and Galtee Mountains to the east, lies the Medieval town of Kilmallock, a place of great cultural and heritage value. Visit Kilmallock Museum, housed in a 19th-Century town cottage, or delve through centuries of history with the Kilmallock Walking Tour audio guide taking in the Dominican Priory and Collegiate Church.
Join master brewers John and Jim on a tour of JJ’s Craft Brewing Company, learn about their passion for the craft and discover the steps taken to create each batch of their award winning brews!
Whet your appetite at Brewery Coffee Co, Bulgaden Castle & Gastro Pub or the Cloister Restaurant in Deebert House Hotel, a place rich history, just like the town it is located in!
8. Explore the great outdoors in Kilfinane
Once a seat of the kings of Munster, the small market town of Kilfinane is renowned for its longstanding association with traditional music and dance. Each year, the town hosts the Ballyhoura Walking Festival, Ireland’s first ever walking festival, in tandem with The Joyce Brothers Music Festival providing a weekend long celebration of music, song, dance and history.
Also a haven for outdoor pursuits, Kilfinane Outdoor Training & Education Centre provides adventure activity courses for groups and individuals with a range of water and land-based sports to choose from. It’s the perfect opportunity to try your hand at something new from mountain biking to hillwalking or paddle sports!
Those seeking a gentler pace can saddle up and canter through the countryside on a horseback expedition with Ballyhoura Horse Trekking.
9. Make a beeline for Griston Bog
A short drive away in Ballylanders, Griston Bog is a wonderful place for nature lovers, being home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, bees and insects and other wildlife, some of which are now in danger of extinction in many parts of the world. Visitors can navigate along the wooden walkway on a self-guided tour through the peatland, and discover how the bog has evolved from the Ice Age to the present day.
10. Hiking and biking in Ballyhoura
Adventure awaits in the woodlands and hills of Ballyhoura, a playground for thrilling outdoor pursuits, within an hour’s drive of Limerick City. Walkers can choose from 21 waymarked trails ranging in distance from 5km to 18km on the Ballyhoura Trails Guide App while the nature trail guide is perfect for mini explorers and families looking for a gentle ramble.
Quench your thirst for speed at the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails, the most extensive bike trail network of its kind in Ireland. Leap over rocks, weave through trees, take on twists and turns and end your day feeling exhilarated and euphoric!
Combining outstanding countryside and wildlife, Ballyhoura Falconry offers visitors the opportunity to interact with some of our most majestic and awe inspiring birds of prey.
